New look to Bowls International editorial team

A message from Bowls International’s new Editor at Large, Ceris Hewlings:

It’s great to see bowls back indoors and to celebrate the return to the carpet with the English, Scottish and Welsh associations hosting their COVID-19 postponed national championships.

Every winner and runner-up will have a story to tell about our beloved sport of bowls.

Well, like many bowlers the world over, mine is the generation game. Both my grandfather and father played, and I followed in their footsteps when I joined the bowling club in my hometown of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, West Wales, in 1992.

During my playing career, I represented Wales outdoor at junior, senior and elite level, which included selection for the Atlantic Championships, European Championships and Hong Kong Classic. I was reserve for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

Writing has been the other love of my life and following 20 years working as a journalist for my local newspaper, I joined the Bowls International team three years ago.

Newly appointed associate editor is Matt Wordingham who has more than 15 years bowling experience and joins the team after leading Bowls England’s media and publications output since 2013. He will be responsible for our website and social media content, as well as building the brand awareness and seeking further business development opportunities.

I feel extremely honoured and excited to be taking over the reins from editor of seven years Siân Honnor.

Working alongside Siân, we have becoming great friends while sharing our enthusiasm and passion for bowls through the magazine, and as she now embarks on a new career as a media and communications officer with a national children’s cancer charity, I am sure all our readers will join me in wishing her the best of luck.

Bowls International celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It was the brainchild of the late Chris Mills who wrote in his launch issue: “Bowls International will always bear in mind its three objectives – to inform, to instruct and to entertain.”

That philosophy has been maintained throughout the years, in which the sport has undergone massive changes to keep pace with the ever-changing world.

It has led to a magazine at the heart of the bowls community which appeals to bowlers of all ages and abilities from the average club bowler through to those plying their trade at the higher echelons of the sport.

Four decades on, we’re still striving to provide something for everyone, from tournament news and coaching articles to player interviews, features and discussions about current issues.

As I take my first steps as Editor at Large, I look forward to getting to know you – our readers – to deliver the magazine that you will want to read each month.

If it matters to you, the Bowls International team wants to hear about it. It’s easy to get in touch with your comments, suggestions, and stories as we grow the magazine together in the months ahead. You can drop an email to either: ceris.hewlings@keypublishing.com or matt.wordingham@keypublishing.com, or you can message us via our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media channels.

Last, but not least, as we approach the festive season, everyone here at Bowls International wishes each and every one of you, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2022, full of good bowling and friendship.

Photograph: Matt Wordingham, Greg Harlow and Ceris Hewlings during the recent Bowls International ‘Bowl with the Stars’ event at Potters Resort